Encourage your volunteer teachers to teach the Easter story slowly and detail the resurrection. Don't get lost in explanation; tell the story. Using toy people or wooden people like in the Godley Play retell the story in the video below allows children to hear it, see it, and manipulate it with their hands. The wondering questions you will listen to at the story end are examples of how wondering helps children's stories lot help children imagine the character's feelings within the story setting. Telling children the story in this way and allowing them to play the story creates learning instead of entertaining children.
Below you will see a great example of another way to retell with simple pictures of the Easter stories. I would pre-make these stones for all the kids that would be participating. Put the stones and the story map in a large zip bag. Once you use your picture rocks to tell them the story and model laying them on the map, dismiss them to their bag. Ask them to practice alone telling the story. Then have them mix them into different pairs and tell the story to one another. Send them home with their story bag and ask them to be disciples to others and tell the story to those who have not heard.
I am on the break-out group evaluating what is currently working on the current Safe Sanctuary plan. I am on the task force by the Bishop to help evaluate our current Safe Sanctuary guidelines. I have a good idea from the questions and emails, but I don't want to assume anything. Can you take a minute and shoot me an email with your thoughts to represent you?
District Mini-Beyond

Here are the dates and contact information for each mini-Beyond offered in the spring and summer within each district. If your district date does not work for you, you are more than welcome to sign-up to go to another district's scheduled date.
District mini-Beyonds are a free event! If you didn't sign up for Beyond, it does not matter! At each one, we will have a miniature version of Messy Church, watch the keynote speaker recording, have a meal, and receive all the educational books.

Central District: May 11, 2022 9am-2pm
Location: Highland Valley UMC

Southwest District: May 20&21
Location: Tanako Retreat

Northwest District: Aug. 6, 9 am-3 pm
Location: Ft. Smith First UMC

Southeast District: May 20&21
Location: Tanako Retreat

Northeast District: April 29 10am-3pm
Location: Batesville FUMC

You can still register for this camp up until the morning of March 4th. So give Kayla a call today! Kayla's cell phone is 501-617-8652!
Dates to remember:
  • Annual Conference June 1-4, 2022